The Department of Geography supports postgraduate research across the diversity of research interests. Recent examples of PhD research topics include: climate change in mountain environments; geographies of youth smoking; innovations in river restoration; management of community water resources in rural Uganda; the use of social media in health campaigns; and reconstructing glacial environments. This diversity is also reflected in the list of topics linked to our bursary competition and the topics where applications can be made all year round (see below).

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About

Research Centres

Environmental Processes and Change: Our researchers are able to undertake projects and supervise students across a number of physical geography themes including coastal and marine processes; glaciology and glacial geomorphology; climate change (particularly in mountain and arctic, and urban/heritage environments). Staff also specialise in river restoration and management projects. Our research is both laboratory and field based across a number of sites.

Geographies of Health, Wellbeing and Lifecourse: Researchers in this group are able to supervise projects that cut across a number of themes. These include ludic (or playful) geographies; geographies of health and health behaviours; ‘mumpreneurship’ and gendered identity, families and community; sustainable urban living and sustainable water management in developing countries.

Historical Geography and Spatial Analysis: Individuals in this group focus on the compilation, analysis, storage and visualisation of large, complex historical datasets. Geo-semantic approaches are used for information management and resource discovery; railroads and regional industrial development in the 19th century USA; history of cartographic representations; military geography and quantitative ‘public historical geography’

Student Destinations

One of the benefits of studying at Portsmouth is the comprehensive support we provide in career planning. Our careers and recruitment service - Purple Door - can assist you in career research and finding employment opportunities. The Graduate School Development Programme offers a series of dedicated workshops on career planning, specifically for research degree students. You will also have access to consultations with careers advisers or online support. This service is available for five years after graduation.

Programme Structure

Module Details

Environmental and climate change in arctic and alpine/mountain environments

Climate science

Glaciology and glacial geomorphology

Coastal and marine processes and change

River management and restoration

Sedimentary archives of climate and environmental change

Weathering science

Geographies of Health, Well-Being and Lifecourse

Individual health and well-being - how place and space shape health outcomes and behaviours

The business practice of mothers and how these link to gendered identity, families and community

How play is fundamental to human experience

Water resource management in South Africa

Historical Geography and Spatial Analysis

Data warehousing, big data and spatial analytics

History of cartography

Historical census analysis

Historical geography of immigration

Migration and employment change

Themes in regional economic development

Land use and environmental change

Public historical geography

Historical military geography

English Language Requirements

You only need to take one of these language tests:

Minimum required score:

6.5

The IELTS – or the International English Language Test System – tests your English-language abilities (writing, listening, speaking, and reading) on a scale of 1.00–9.00. The minimum IELTS score requirement refers to which Overall Band Score you received, which is your combined average score. Read more about IELTS.

StudyPortals Tip: The UK government has confirmed new English-language testing requirements for visa and immigration purposes. Learn more

Minimum required score (Grade B):

193

The CAE test – or the Cambridge Advanced English – is an exam for applicants who wish to get a Certificate in Advanced English. To receive the Advanced certificate, test-takers must score between 142 and 210 on the Cambridge English: Advanced test. Read more about CAE.

Note: degree programmes and applications may require a more specific minimum score for admission.

Academic Requirements

A good honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject or a master's degree in an appropriate subject. Exceptionally, equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will be considered.

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Tuition Fee

International Applies to you

12600 GBP/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the original amount of 12600 GBP per year and a duration of 36 months.

EU/EEA Applies to you

4121 GBP/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the original amount of 4121 GBP per year and a duration of 36 months.

We've labeled the tuition fee that applies to you because we think you are from and prefer over other currencies.

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